CEBU, Philippines - Bigtime sporting event with a twist will roll off the roads of the municipality of Consolacion next month.

This as the Coach A Metafit Fitness Boot Camp in partnership with the Consolacion LGU and its Tourism Board will stage thefirst ever 'Consolacion Mountain Bike Duathlon' on March 26.

The unique two-in-one joust aims to promote Consolacion as one of the premier sports tourism destinations of the province as well as advocate the importance of having a fit and healthy lifestyle.

During the event's formal launching yesterday at SM City Consolacion, Cebuano fitness ambassador Alan G. Choachuy of the organizing Metafit said the participants are surely in for a delightful treat during the course of the race.

"We are lucky to have partnered with SM City Consolacion, which gave us its all-out support to make this event a successful one. What reallymakes this race different is the use of mountainbikes. As we know, most races now are focused on road races and the use of road bikes. The mountain bikes are almost a forgotten race. Also, for those who don't know how to swim and can't enjoy the sport of triathlon this is for them," said Choachuy, who will be assisted by race route designer Fritz Co and race technical and safety director Terence Fernandez in running the event.

"Furthermore, it offers you a picturesque bike route that has the most complete element from steep uphill climb, loose downhill and single track off road. It also features river crossing along a corn plantation and an obstacle in farmland," added Choachuy.

Expected to attract over 300 participants, the lung-busting competition will start with a five-kilometer run, followed by a grueling 20km bike, and will culminate with a 3km run.

There will be an open/elite category for both male and female entries as well as the relay open. The age groups featured are the 19 years old and below, 20-29 (millenials), 30-39 (veterans), 40-49 (masters) and 50-above (golden boys).

Aside from a cash prize, the champions in the open/elite will also bring home a Lezyne Y9 Power GPS unit worth P6,800 courtesy of YKK Bikes.

The top finisher in each age-group will receive a Lezyne Y9 Mini GPS unit worth P4,900, while the winner in relay open will get two sets of Lezyne Stainless 12 Multi Tool. All finishers will receive medals.

Registration fee is pegged at P800 for the individual and P1,200 for the relay. Special early bird rates of P600 for the individual and P800 for the relay are offered until March 1 only.

One may register at YKK Bikes in Legaspi Street (255-8853, 0915-7645359 or 0923-4254534), Cyclelogic at Parkmall (238-3513) and Missling Link Bike Shop (261-5584) in Robinsons Galleria Cebu. For further inquiries, one may call 406-9267. (FREEMAN)

The visiting Cebu City boxing team is still the team to beat despite losing two boxers already due to technicality in the two-day Visayas preliminaries of the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup set this weekend at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum in Bago City.

I don’t know how many had anticipated for the “fight” last Sunday but seeing the way it turned out, Jerry Tundag’s column on this paper the following day said it all. After the rip-off fight with Manny Pacquiao, the spectacle was another farce, targeting the gullible who stupidly believed that the match would be exciting.